Valve for sprinkler systems



DC 16, 1941- W. B. GRIFFITH VALVE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEMS Filed July 26, 1940 [nvenr:

Wiliam B. Jy @Aad/tg Patented Dec. 16, 194i j i UNITED 'STATES PAT ENT OFFICE vALvEFoR srrRnvKLER SYSTEMS..

William Br. orifsthgiiilqubon. N. J. l Application Julyz, 194.6,y .serial no; 341i ,65s $11 claims. (01. atraen'- I My invention relates to improvements in valves lfor automatic sprinkler systems for fire protection, and particularly relates to the means for supplying Water to the systems.

YThe objects of my invention is to provide a` novel structure having a single street main-.connection for Water inlet supply, and two outlet connections; one of said outlet connections being arranged for supplying Water to a buildingy for general domestic purposes, and the other outlet connection for supplying Water to a sprinkler system. Said structure including means for' automatically closing the supply to the building for directing the entire flow of water to the sprinkler V.system when the latter becomes active in the event of `a fir-e. l Y I A further object is to construct a valve '-struc ture with a novel arrangement of clappers for 4controlling the flow of Water throughv the outlets. A further object is to provide a valve structure with means for supporting a valveclapper in an open position relatively to the cutletconnection .to the building, andfmeans actuated by the ilow of Water through the outlet connection to the sprinkler system for releasing the valve clapper and closing the flow to the building.

A further object is to provide the valve structure with means by which the clappers may be resetafter the sprinkler system has been in operation.

My invention provides means for reducing Vthe service charges of Water companies by eliminating the necessity of making tvvo separate connections with the street main for supplying Wa ter to a building and to a sprinkler system.

The service charges, known [as` stand-by charges, for supplying Water for sprinkler systems .are frequently so high that said charges offset the savings in the reduced insurance rates effective by the installation of sprinkler systems. My invention provides means for supply-- ing both .the building `and the sprinkler system through one inlet service connection with the A section on line 2--r2 vvhich like reference `-characters. refer `to like parts, 5 represents a =struc ture, or valve casing, having an inlet chamber 5 rand 'a supply Water'inletJ connection 1. The

'casing 5 is providedwith a main outlet connecu-tion' 8 through which Water 'is supplied to a building fondomestic Water service. An annular-valve seat 9 surrounds a passage I0 extending from the inlet chamber 5 tothe main outlet connection .8. A standard shut-oil valve I2 is connected with the .connection 8 and with a pipe I3, through Which Water is supplied to a building', not shown in the drawing..

The casing 5 is also provided with a sprinkler outlet connection .I 5, and a passage I6 which connects tlie inlet chamberr 6 With said connection I5.v 'An annular seat I8 is mounted upon te casing 5 and surrounds said passage I5. Said seat I8 is located in spaced relation to the seat l9.

"The sprinkler system outlet connection Li is connected with Va `standard shut-off valve I9,

- Which` in turn is connected' with a closed sprinkler system 2).

The valves i2 and I8 are normally open and are provided for purposes *hereinafter described.

vWhichare rotatably mounted upon shafts 21 and The sprinkler system '2B includes a valve 2i, which may be of the dry pipe type, or it may be vof the deluge,` or alarm type, of, any standard conistruction. The valve 2l is connected with Va riser, orstand pipe 22, having distributing pipes 23 for 'supplying water to automatic sprinklers 24. z v f Withinthe casing 5. are clappers 25 and 25 their respective seats. 1

`The clapper :25 `is located Within the chamber 6 `between v.the seats 9 and I8, and is movable about the shaft 21 to a closed position upon the seat 9,. for closing the main outlet connection 8, .and to .an open position adjacent to the seat `Hbfor engagement with the clapper 2t, when .the latter is 'positioned upon the seat IB.

'The clapper 25 is supported upon the seat I8 when the sprinkler is closed .and there .is no flow of Water through the outlet connection I5.

'When the sprinkler systemy is opened, in the event of re, by the opening of the sprinkler Y'214.and the valve ZI, the flow from. the inlet.

rchamber i6 through the passage It to the open sprinkler system Will move the clapper 26 from `theseat yI8 to .an open position against .the vstop Vliorrnecl upon the casing 5.

The opening movement of the clapper 216 re leases' the clapper 25 and the latter will automatically close upon the'seat 9 and shut `off the -ow through the main outlet yconnection vso that the ventire Water supply Will be directed to v.the sprinkler system. y

.shafts 121 and 28 are' relatively. positioned so that the closing movement of the clapper 25 is biased by the clapper 26 when the latter is supported upon the seat I8, and arranged for releasing the clapper 25 from the clapper 26 by a movement of the latter about the shaft 28 away from the seat I8, thereby permitting the clapper 25 to move to the closed position upon the seat 9, against which it is tightly held by the pressure of the water flowing through the chamber 6 to the open sprinkler system.

'I'he clappers 25 and 26 are provided upon their adjacent faces with latching, or interlocking means, in the form of an upwardly extending lug 38 formed upon the clapper 25, and a depending lug 3| formed upon the clapper 26.

The shaft 21 is located in the inlet chamber 6 below the seat I3, and the shaft 28 is located within the passage I6 immediately above the seat I8, .and said shafts are positioned relatively to each other so that the lugs 38 and 3|I will interlock and hold the clapper 25 open when the clapper 26 is supported upon the seat I8. The shaft 21 is located relatively to the shaft 28 so that the lug 36 is movable eccentrically relatively to the shaft 28, whereby the movement of the clapper 25, toward the seat 9, is biased by the engagement of the lug 30 with the lug 3|, thereby latching the clapper 25 open, relatively to the seat 9, and insuring a free supply of Water through the main outlet connection 8 to the building when the sprinkler system is closed. The lug 3| has an engaging surface 32 which is concentric with the shaft 28 and will permit the lug 3| to readily withdraw from engagement with the lug 30 upon the movement of the clapper 26 away from the seat I8, and thereby release the clapper 25 from the lug 3| and allow the clapper 25 to close upon the seat 9 and close the main outlet connection 8, whereby the entire water supply will be directed through the outlet connection I to the sprinkler system.

After the sprinkler system has been in operation the clappers 25 and 26 may be reset to the position shown in Fig. 1, by first closing the shut-olf valves I2 and I9, for stopping the flow of water, thereby allowing the clapper 26 to return automatically to its seat I8.

Means are provided for manually moving the clapper 25 from the seat 9 into latching engagement with the clapper 26. The shaft 21 extends without the casing 5, as shown in Fig. 2. Said shaft is loosely mounted in sleeves 34 and 35 secured upon the casing 5. One end of the shaft 21 extends through the sleeve 35. A cap 36 is detachably mounted upon the sleeve 35 and embraces the outer end of the shaft and is adapted to prevent leakage around the loosely mounted shaft 21. By removing the cap 36 the shaft may be rotated by a suitable tool, for rotating the clapper 25 from its seat 9 to the position shown in Fig. 1.

The lugs 38 and 3| are provided with rounded cam surfaces 38 and 39, which surfaces engage during the movement of the clapper 25 toward the clapper 26, and this movement causes the clapper 26 to lift, from the seat I8 sufficiently to allow the lugs 3U and 3| to pass and the clapper 26 to reseat With the lugs interlocked, as shown in Fig. 1, for suspending the clapper in the open position relatively to the seat 9.

The clappers 25 and 26 are loosely rotatable upon the shafts 21 and 28 to insure the free movements of the clappers. The clapper 25 is provided with arms 40 and 4I having enlarged heads 42 and 43 which loosely embrace the shaft domestic supply purposes to a building.

21. The shaft 21 is mounted for rotary and axial movements in the sleeves 34 and 35. A collar 45 is secured upon the shaft 21 and said collar is provided with a radial pin 46. The arm 4I is provided with a pin or projection 41. The shaft 21 is adapted to be moved axially to engage the pins 46 and 41, so that by rotating the shaft 21 the clapper 25 may be moved from its seat 9 and interlocked with the clapper 26, as shown in Fig. l.

When the cap 36 is replaced over the outer end of the shaft 21, said shaft must be moved axially into a position to release the pins 46 and 41 before the cap can be secured upon the sleeve 35 for preventing the leakage of Water around the said shaft. By this arrangement the clapper 25 is free to rotate toward the seat 9 Without rotating the shaft 21, thus insuring the free closing movement of the clapper 25.

After the clappers 25 and 26 have been arranged in the position shown in Fig. 1 .as above described, the sprinkler system is placed under the system pressure for maintaining the valve 2| closed. The valves I2 and I9 are opened and the clappers 25 and 26 Will remain in the position shown in Fig. l, for directing the flow of Water through the main outlet connection 8 for When the sprinkler system is brought into action by the opening of a sprinkler 24 and the valve 2|, in the event of la fire, the clapper 26 will be moved from its seat by the low of water through the outlet connection I5, and release the clapper 25 from the clapper 26 so that the clapper 25 will close the main outlet connection 8 and direct the entire supply of Water to the sprinkler system.

I claim:

l. A valve casing forming a Water supply inlet chamber, a main outlet connection upon the casing for domestic Water supply to a building, a second outlet connection upon the casing for supply to a normally closed sprinkler system, a valve seat surrounding a passage from said chamber to said main outlet, a rst clapper mounted for movement toward said seat for closing said main outlet, a second seat surrounding a passage between said chamber and said second outlet, a second clapper mounted for movement toward said second seat and movable from said second seat responsive to flow from said chamber toward said second outlet upon the opening of the system, and interlocking means upon said clappers engageable when the lrst clapper is in open relation to its seat and said second clapper is supported upon its seat for maintaining said main outletJ open and arranged for releasing the first clapper by movement of the second clapper from its seat.

2. A valve structure having a Water supply inlet connection, a main outlet connection, a valve mounted for movement within the structure arranged for automatically closing said main connection, valve engaging means adapted for holding the valve in the open position for maintaining said main connection open, said structure having a second outlet connection, and means responsive to flow through said second outlet connection arranged for releasing said valve from said engaging means.

3. A valve structure having a water lsupply inlet connection, a main outlet connection, a valve mounted for movement within the structure arranged for closing said main connection, said structure having a second outlet connection,

said structure having a passage connecting said inlet and second outlet connections, a clapper, means normally positioning said clapper within said passage and in engagement with said valve for maintaining the latter in the open position relatively to said main outlet connection, and means mounting said clapper for movement responsive to flow through said passage arranged for releasing the valve from the clapper and permitting the valve to close said main outlet connection.-

4. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a passage connecting said chamber with said main outlet, a clapper mounted for movement within the casing arranged for automatically closing said passage, a second outlet connection upon the casing, a second passage connecting said chamber with said second outlet, a second clapper, a support upon the casing normally positioning said second clapper within said second passage, means mounting said second clapper for movement from said support toward said second outlet by flow of fluid through said second passage, and means mounting said clappers for engagement of the first clapper with the second clapper when the latter is upon said support for biasing the closing movement of the first clapper and for releasing the latter upon a movement of the second clapper from said support.

5. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a passage connecting said chamber with said main outlet,

a clapper mounted for movement Within the cas- 1 ing arranged for automatically closing said passage, a second outlet connection upon the casing, a second passage connecting said chamber with said second outlet, a second clapper Within said second passage, means mounting said second clapper for movement from said second passage by flow of fluid through said second passage, and interlocking means upon said clappers engageable when the first clapper is open and the second clapper is positioned within said second passage and arranged for releasing said clappers upon the movement of the second clapper by flow through said second passage.

6. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a passage connecting said chamber with said mainoutlet, a valve seat surrounding said passage, a clapper mounted for movement within said chamber and arranged for closing upon said seat, a second outlet connection upon the casing, said casing having a second passage connecting said chamber with said second outlet, a second seat surrounding said second passage, a second clapper, means mounting the second clapper for movement to and from said second seat, and said second seat located relatively to the first mentioned seat for supporting the second clapper in engagement with the rst clapper for holding the latter in open relation to the first seat and for releasing the rst clapper upon a movement of the second clapper from its seat responsive to iiow of fluid from said chamber toward said second outlet.

7. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a passage connecting said chamber with said main outlet, a valve seat surrounding said passage, a second outlet connection upon the casing, said casing having a second passage connecting said chamber with said second outlet, a second seat surrounding said second passage and located in spaced relation to the rst seat,.a first clapper located in said chamber, a shaft upon the casing about which the first clapper is rotatable to a closed position upon the first seat and to an open position adjacent to said second seat, a second clapper located between the second seat and said second connection, a second shaft mounted upon the casing about which the second clapper is rotatable to and from said second seat, interlocking parts upon said clappers arranged for maintaining the first clapper open when the second clapper is positioned upon the second seat, and said shafts relatively positioned for releasing said parts upon a movement of the second clapper away from said second seat.

8. A valve as claimed in claim 7 having lugs upon the adjacent faces of said clappers, and said shafts positioned relatively to said seats to engage said lugs'and bias the movement of the first clapper toward its seat When the second clapper is closed upon its seat and release said lugs by a movement of the second clapper from its seat.

9. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a valve seat surrounding a passage between said chamber and said main outlet, a second outlet connection, a second seat surrounding a passage between said chamber and said second outlet, said seats arranged in spaced relation to each other, a clapper located between said seats, a second clapper located between the second seat and said second outlet, shafts mounted upon the casing about which said clappers are rotatable to and from their respective seats, means extending without the casing arranged for manually rotating the first mentioned clapper from its seat toward said second seat, lugs upon said clappers, cam surfaces upon said lugs adapted to interlock upon the opening movement of the rst clapper, and said shafts positioned relatively to said seats for engagement of said lugs for holding the first clapper open When the second clapper is upon its seat and for releasing the rst clapper by a movement of the second clapper from its seat.

10. A valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber, a main outlet connection, a valve seat surrounding a passage between said chamber and said main outlet, a second outlet connection, a second seat surrounding a passage between said chamber and said second outlet, said seats arranged in spaced relation to each other, a shaft mounted for axial and rotary movements upon the casing, a clapper rotatably mounted upon the shaft and arranged for normally closing upon the rst mentioned seat, a second clapper mounted for movement within the casing and normally positioned upon said second SeatLinterlocking means upon said clappers, said shaft having an end portion extending without the casing, and a part upon said shaft movable axially with the latter into and out of engagement'with the first clapper adapted for rotating the latter into a position for engaging said interlocking means.

11. A valve as claimed in claim 10 having a cap adapted for embracing the outer end of the shaft, means detachably mounting the cap upon the casing, and said cap having a closed end adapted for engagement with the outer end of the shaft for moving the shaft axially and disengaging said part from the first clapper.

WILLIAM B. GRIEFII'I-I. 

